Friday 07/31/15

Congress Still Struggling to Roll on Down the Highway

President Barack Obama signed off on the temporary bill Friday, but indicated his frustration with Congress over the inability to approve a long-term highway bill. He noted that the lack of a long-term bill makes it hard for governors and mayors to set priorities for roads, bridges, airports and ports.[Read Full Blog Post]

The GOP is doing what their constituents put them there to do, say no to everything Obama wants.

Posted by Jay Mcginnis at
11:37AM CDT 08/01/15

Thursday 07/30/15

Ag Groups Join Call for Delay on Ozone Regs

A number of agriculture interest groups are among 269 organizations that asked President Barack Obama Wednesday to stop the release of more stringent national ambient air quality standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, set for release sometime this year.[Read Full Blog Post]

When the environment is destroyed, the water unfit to drink, air unfit to breath and severe climate change then maybe such groups will realize that all the extra money they made will not save the planet. Who needs ozone, you can't even see it! Must be a leftist idea! Bring out the emails and all the GOP candidates to protest science!

Posted by Jay Mcginnis at
6:59AM CDT 07/31/15

All I had to do is read the headline and I knew who was going to be standing on the soap box at the end, and I was right. Jay, do you heat your shops all winter in case you want to work out there comfortably? I don't. Do you use air conditioning at your house? I don't. In the winter you keep you furnace set at 55 during the week and only put it to 65 when you are there all day. I do. Do you keep a gallon bucket in your shower so you can have one less toilet flush. I do, and I am also one of the "if its yellow be mellow" type of guy. And just so you know I am one of the dirty rotted GOP types. Unlike you I understand that sometimes the government agencies go overboard to get things back to the pristine condition that hasn't been since the natives crossed the Bering Straight. Sorry bud, if you want to allow 7 billion people live on the earth, not everything is going to be the perfect little world you think you live in.

Posted by CRAIG MOORE at
1:03PM CDT 07/31/15

Craig ALL of my electricity is made on the farm by solar, I heat with geothermal powered by my own electric and I use a little wood grown on the farm. As you know my car and lawn mower are powered by the sun as well. People can live comfortably and not ruin the earth but then how would the corporations that run the GOP make billions off oil, coal and wars? I am comfortably living, sorry about your lifestyle.

Posted by Jay Mcginnis at
11:29AM CDT 08/01/15

Monday 07/27/15

Looking at Corporate Climate Initiatives and Agriculture

The White House announced Monday it was launching an initiative highlighting the "American Business Act on Climate Pledge. The effort spotlighted 13 large American companies pushing for action on climate change. The announcement had some emphasis on agriculture, food processing and continued opportunities for landowners to make money through renewable energy, particularly expanded wind production.[Read Full Blog Post]

All of these commitments raise the question of what will farming do? Tillage releases GHG. Putting the kabosh on tillage would be a death blow for organic production. Would they get an exemption like wind energy gets for killing eagles and endangered bats?! Ain't politics fun!!

Posted by Curt Zingula at
6:49AM CDT 07/28/15

Isn't packaging the largest waste producer? Just waiting for organic plastic bottles.

Posted by Bonnie Dukowitz at
7:10AM CDT 07/30/15

There is Bonnie, my other biz uses corn starch "peanuts" instead of styrofoam! There are alternatives but they are "too expensive", just like solar energy and no one wants to make a sacrifice for the environment, how else would they buy all that crap from Walmart?

Posted by Jay Mcginnis at
7:03AM CDT 07/31/15

Jay, do you golf?

Posted by CRAIG MOORE at
1:26PM CDT 07/31/15

Thursday 07/23/15

USDA Gathers Conservation Data

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is launching a conservation survey of farmers and ranchers to get an idea of what kinds of practices farmers are implementing, according to a news release from USDA.[Read Full Blog Post]

"their responses can help leaders focus on the conservation practices that most benefit both the farmer and the natural resources on which we all rely." ....... Tell this to the regulation loving environmentalists belly-aching that Iowa's voluntary nutrient reduction strategy wasn't fully implemented the day after it was announced! Regulations they say are the answer but apparently those who would regulate aren't even sure which way to turn.

Posted by Curt Zingula at
7:40AM CDT 07/24/15

I hope USDA surveys golf courses/Country Clubs/Cities as well.

Posted by Coy Allen at
10:50AM CDT 07/24/15

Wednesday 07/22/15

Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Mirrors Iowa

Environmentalists and others who contend the only way to reduce nutrients runoff into the Gulf of Mexico is through regulation, may not be happy with the release of the final Illinois nutrient loss reduction strategy Tuesday that is a virtual copy of the Iowa strategy hammered on by critics as 'too soft.'[Read Full Blog Post]

Bill Stowe's initials create an appropriate acronym. Collaboration is already working in Iowa. I attended a conservation tour last month in which the engineer of a bio-reactor informed us that this cost-share structure provided a valuable learning experience. Will millions of dollars spent on a law suit do that?!

Posted by Curt Zingula at
7:27AM CDT 07/23/15

Monday 07/20/15

Cover Crops use Continue Rise Nationally

For a third-consecutive year a cover crops survey of 1,200 farmers across the country continue to see bumps in corn and soybean yields following the use of cover crops. In addition, the Conservation Technology Information Center Cover Crop Survey recorded an increase in the number of cover crop acres planted nationwide.[Read Full Blog Post]

Friday 07/17/15

Senate Tax Package Could Offset Some Doom and Gloom

The Senate Finance Committee on Friday rolled out a package of business tax breaks that the committee will take up on Tuesday. The plan deals with about 50 individual and business taxes that would translate into about $95.6 billion in overall tax breaks for people and companies.[Read Full Blog Post]

Wednesday 07/15/15

An EU Farm Group's Beef Over TTIP Talks

In the debate over agricultural market access in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the European agricultural group Copa-Cogeca has spelled out some conditions its leaders believe need to be met to make the European trade deal a benefit for both sides of the Atlantic.[Read Full Blog Post]

Monday 07/13/15

There Are Budget Cuts and Then There Are Budget Cuts

I got an email over the weekend from my congressman, an enthusiastic freshman, who is boasting that Congress, as a government agency, has cut its own budget. Other government agencies should do the same.[Read Full Blog Post]

Thursday 07/09/15

Confederate Flag Debate Stalls EPA Budget Bill

A bill that would make significant cuts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency budget was grounded Thursday, after Republican members objected to an amendment passed by voice vote Tuesday night to ban the Confederate flag at national cemeteries, according to The Hill.[Read Full Blog Post]

In short, the party of dirty air/dirty water and science denial is too busy defending the flag of treason to make serious legislation!

Posted by Jay Mcginnis at
6:57AM CDT 07/14/15

The Confederate flag stands as much for state rights as it does for slavery and the states should determine where, when or if it flies. And if we are going to throw part of that past in the dust bin and forget about it, let's through all the history of that time away. No more talk of slavery or reparations for anyone because of the past. It is done and gone, times have changed so let's move on, totally.

Posted by CRAIG MOORE at
4:27PM CDT 07/17/15

I'd rather fly an historical battle flag than a communist flag that stands for oppression and murder.... on another note, the EPA is a bloated inefficient burocracy that needs much fat trimmed from its budget.

Posted by Paul Beiser at
5:26PM CDT 07/23/15

Tuesday 07/07/15

Farm Bureau to House: Reject RFS Amendment

The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter Monday to every member of the House of Representatives asking lawmakers to "reject any proposals that amend, repeal, defund or otherwise modify or interfere with the Renewable Fuels Standard."[Read Full Blog Post]

Wednesday 07/01/15

Ag Coalition Sees Opportunity in Renewed U.S.-Cuban Relationship

The U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba praised the announcement Wednesday by President Barack Obama that the U.S. and Cuba will officially re-establish diplomatic relations on July 20 with the re-opening of respective embassies.[Read Full Blog Post]

Normal relations with Cuba should increase agricultural sales for the US but with unintended consequences. The US Cuban immigrant lobby is arguably as powerful as the AG lobby. That means real damage for the sugar program as Cuban supplies are accommodated as happened when Mexico got a place at the ttables

Posted by Thomas Runholt at
3:34PM CDT 07/06/15

Monday 06/29/15

Argentina and Brazil Beef Imports Approved Despite FMD Risks

It would generally be considered a pretty rare occurrence that the National Cattlemen's Beef Association finds itself in agreement with the group Food & Water Watch. But the two disparate groups nonetheless find themselves equally appalled at USDA for allowing imported beef from northern Argentina and 14 states Brazil known for FMD outbreaks.[Read Full Blog Post]

"Just a day before Brazil's president comes to Washington"? Good Grief.

Posted by Bonnie Dukowitz at
5:58AM CDT 06/30/15

This issue was in the USDA agenda for a long time. It's a important matter for both countries, both will get benefits with this decision.
Answering the "FMD Risks concern", it was proved a long time ago that in natura meat can not carry the virus, so no risk.

Posted by THIAGO ROCHA at
8:50AM CDT 06/30/15

Nor Avian flu in turkeys, Thiago. Food security should be a two way street.

Posted by Bonnie Dukowitz at
8:22PM CDT 06/30/15

Friday 06/26/15

AGree Calls on Congress to Pay More Attention to Ag Research

Leaders from the group AGree this week called on Congress to take a top-to-bottom review of agricultural research in the country. AGree's leaders issued a paper breaking down issues surrounding research and development in agriculture and food production. The group AGree was formed to seek consensus among different stakeholders on policy areas important to agriculture.[Read Full Blog Post]

The answer to this dilemma was answered in the Pres. Lincoln era with the ," Land Grant Universities" coming into existence. Too many have abandoned their primary purpose.

Posted by Bonnie Dukowitz at
5:53AM CDT 06/27/15

Wednesday 06/24/15

Can the U.S. Become Voluntarily COOL?

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and his committee's ranking member, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, head into a hearing Thursday clearly divided on the issue of country-of-origin labeling for meat. Roberts is pushing for full repeal of the labels while Stabenow is pitching a voluntary approach to the problem.[Read Full Blog Post]

Fri Jul 31, 2015 04:17 PM CDTPresident Barack Obama signed off on the temporary bill Friday, but indicated his frustration with Congress over the inability to approve a long-term highway bill. He noted that the lack of a long-term bill makes it hard for governors and mayors to set priorities for roads, bridges, airports and ports.

Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:00 AM CDTA number of agriculture interest groups are among 269 organizations that asked President Barack Obama Wednesday to stop the release of more stringent national ambient air quality standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, set for release sometime this year.

Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:35 AM CDTThe White House announced Monday it was launching an initiative highlighting the "American Business Act on Climate Pledge. The effort spotlighted 13 large American companies pushing for action on climate change. The announcement had some emphasis on agriculture, food processing and continued opportunities for landowners to make money through renewable energy, particularly expanded wind production.

Thu Jul 23, 2015 01:44 PM CDTUSDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is launching a conservation survey of farmers and ranchers to get an idea of what kinds of practices farmers are implementing, according to a news release from USDA.

Wed Jul 22, 2015 02:50 PM CDTEnvironmentalists and others who contend the only way to reduce nutrients runoff into the Gulf of Mexico is through regulation, may not be happy with the release of the final Illinois nutrient loss reduction strategy Tuesday that is a virtual copy of the Iowa strategy hammered on by critics as 'too soft.'

Mon Jul 20, 2015 01:17 PM CDTFor a third-consecutive year a cover crops survey of 1,200 farmers across the country continue to see bumps in corn and soybean yields following the use of cover crops. In addition, the Conservation Technology Information Center Cover Crop Survey recorded an increase in the number of cover crop acres planted nationwide.

Fri Jul 17, 2015 03:08 PM CDTThe Senate Finance Committee on Friday rolled out a package of business tax breaks that the committee will take up on Tuesday. The plan deals with about 50 individual and business taxes that would translate into about $95.6 billion in overall tax breaks for people and companies.

Wed Jul 15, 2015 12:27 PM CDTIn the debate over agricultural market access in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the European agricultural group Copa-Cogeca has spelled out some conditions its leaders believe need to be met to make the European trade deal a benefit for both sides of the Atlantic.

Mon Jul 13, 2015 11:30 AM CDTI got an email over the weekend from my congressman, an enthusiastic freshman, who is boasting that Congress, as a government agency, has cut its own budget. Other government agencies should do the same.

Thu Jul 9, 2015 01:30 PM CDTA bill that would make significant cuts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency budget was grounded Thursday, after Republican members objected to an amendment passed by voice vote Tuesday night to ban the Confederate flag at national cemeteries, according to The Hill.

Tue Jul 7, 2015 11:33 AM CDTThe American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter Monday to every member of the House of Representatives asking lawmakers to "reject any proposals that amend, repeal, defund or otherwise modify or interfere with the Renewable Fuels Standard."

Wed Jul 1, 2015 02:42 PM CDTThe U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba praised the announcement Wednesday by President Barack Obama that the U.S. and Cuba will officially re-establish diplomatic relations on July 20 with the re-opening of respective embassies.

Mon Jun 29, 2015 05:06 PM CDTIt would generally be considered a pretty rare occurrence that the National Cattlemen's Beef Association finds itself in agreement with the group Food & Water Watch. But the two disparate groups nonetheless find themselves equally appalled at USDA for allowing imported beef from northern Argentina and 14 states Brazil known for FMD outbreaks.

Fri Jun 26, 2015 11:59 AM CDTLeaders from the group AGree this week called on Congress to take a top-to-bottom review of agricultural research in the country. AGree's leaders issued a paper breaking down issues surrounding research and development in agriculture and food production. The group AGree was formed to seek consensus among different stakeholders on policy areas important to agriculture.

Wed Jun 24, 2015 02:24 PM CDTSenate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and his committee's ranking member, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, head into a hearing Thursday clearly divided on the issue of country-of-origin labeling for meat. Roberts is pushing for full repeal of the labels while Stabenow is pitching a voluntary approach to the problem.

Tue Jun 16, 2015 08:44 AM CDTAhead of a scheduled June 25 public hearing in Kansas City, Kansas, on the Renewable Fuel Standard Iowa's Congressional delegation is asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to host a public hearing in Iowa.

Fri Jun 12, 2015 12:51 PM CDTThe House Energy and Commerce Committee will weigh in on the debate over biotech labeling laws next week with a hearing over legislation by Rep. Mike Pompeo, a Republican from Kansas.

Wed Jun 10, 2015 09:33 PM CDTThe House voted 300 to 131 to repeal country of origin labels for meat. While the bill now goes to the Senate, the House vote represents a victory for Canadian and Mexican livestock producers.